1 00:00:00,760 --> 00:00:01,480 Speaker 1: Taking a Walk. 2 00:00:01,600 --> 00:00:04,000 Speaker 2: You know what I've been, My platform has been for 3 00:00:04,040 --> 00:00:07,360 Speaker 2: some time, and I know it now is God, Family, Country. 4 00:00:07,680 --> 00:00:08,880 Speaker 3: My music is going. 5 00:00:08,760 --> 00:00:12,119 Speaker 2: To be in and around those things regardless, and I 6 00:00:12,280 --> 00:00:15,200 Speaker 2: personally believe that the majority of our listener base is 7 00:00:15,440 --> 00:00:18,280 Speaker 2: Middle America and those three things are of most importance 8 00:00:18,320 --> 00:00:18,720 Speaker 2: to them. 9 00:00:18,840 --> 00:00:22,079 Speaker 1: Welcome to the Taking a Walk Podcast, the show where 10 00:00:22,120 --> 00:00:25,800 Speaker 1: Buzz Night speaks with musicians of all type on their music, 11 00:00:26,239 --> 00:00:30,360 Speaker 1: their influences, and their passion for creative excellence. And today 12 00:00:30,680 --> 00:00:33,960 Speaker 1: Buzz is joined by country music singer songwriter Craig Morgan. 13 00:00:34,560 --> 00:00:38,080 Speaker 1: Craig's work spans beyond his music with his service to country, 14 00:00:38,440 --> 00:00:42,600 Speaker 1: his philanthropic work, and his love of the outdoors, but 15 00:00:42,720 --> 00:00:46,199 Speaker 1: his music carries all of the message. And he's got 16 00:00:46,200 --> 00:00:49,240 Speaker 1: a new album out and called American Soundtrack on BBR 17 00:00:49,440 --> 00:00:53,320 Speaker 1: BMG Nashville, and we're thrilled to have him joined Buzz 18 00:00:53,400 --> 00:00:56,640 Speaker 1: Night on the Taking a Walk Podcast right now. 19 00:00:58,480 --> 00:01:01,160 Speaker 4: Greig, thanks for being on Take a Walk. It's a pleasure. 20 00:01:02,200 --> 00:01:04,040 Speaker 3: Oh, thank you. Thanks for having me. 21 00:01:04,360 --> 00:01:07,160 Speaker 4: So since the podcast is called Taking a Walk, I 22 00:01:07,160 --> 00:01:09,759 Speaker 4: do want to ask you a question if you could 23 00:01:09,760 --> 00:01:13,600 Speaker 4: take a walk with somebody living or dead, who would 24 00:01:13,640 --> 00:01:16,959 Speaker 4: you take a walk with and where would you take 25 00:01:17,000 --> 00:01:17,840 Speaker 4: that walk with him? 26 00:01:18,959 --> 00:01:28,280 Speaker 2: Ooh, that's fascinating. Probably Mother Angelica. And wherever we walked 27 00:01:28,319 --> 00:01:30,720 Speaker 2: it wouldn't matter. I'm sure it would be someplace peaceful. 28 00:01:31,040 --> 00:01:35,720 Speaker 2: I just thought she was so insightful and so loving 29 00:01:35,800 --> 00:01:39,600 Speaker 2: and caring and honest. I've listened to some of her 30 00:01:39,720 --> 00:01:46,920 Speaker 2: older stuff, and I just absolutely love anyone who is 31 00:01:47,000 --> 00:01:51,840 Speaker 2: so spiritual. I would also say, like Billy Graham, you know, 32 00:01:51,880 --> 00:01:55,040 Speaker 2: I would love to listen to him, and I have 33 00:01:55,160 --> 00:01:56,280 Speaker 2: questions for them, you. 34 00:01:56,240 --> 00:01:59,320 Speaker 4: Know, And it would be a calming walk. I have 35 00:01:59,400 --> 00:02:01,920 Speaker 4: a feeling right, no. 36 00:02:01,360 --> 00:02:01,960 Speaker 3: No question. 37 00:02:02,080 --> 00:02:04,960 Speaker 2: For some reason, I can't help but think it would 38 00:02:04,960 --> 00:02:05,600 Speaker 2: be in a garden. 39 00:02:08,560 --> 00:02:11,000 Speaker 4: Not a bad place to be right with anybody, but 40 00:02:11,160 --> 00:02:16,399 Speaker 4: particularly those folks for sure. Well, congrats on American Soundtrack. 41 00:02:16,440 --> 00:02:18,840 Speaker 4: We're going to talk about the making of it and 42 00:02:18,880 --> 00:02:21,640 Speaker 4: sort of the behind the scenes of it, but I 43 00:02:21,639 --> 00:02:25,639 Speaker 4: did want to ask you who were the earliest influences 44 00:02:26,080 --> 00:02:30,239 Speaker 4: that gave you the inspiration to pursue a career in music? 45 00:02:31,200 --> 00:02:34,840 Speaker 2: Well, country wise, it was my all time favorite, who 46 00:02:34,880 --> 00:02:37,440 Speaker 2: is now very dear friend, mister John Conley. 47 00:02:38,280 --> 00:02:39,080 Speaker 3: I can remember as. 48 00:02:38,960 --> 00:02:41,359 Speaker 2: A kid listening to a song called Rose Colored Glasses 49 00:02:41,400 --> 00:02:44,800 Speaker 2: and I just absolutely loved it, and then listen to 50 00:02:44,840 --> 00:02:48,280 Speaker 2: everything that he did. But I was also listening to 51 00:02:48,360 --> 00:02:53,600 Speaker 2: Gene Watson, George Jones, Merle Haggard, all of it. Likes 52 00:02:53,639 --> 00:02:55,720 Speaker 2: it and then got into the that brought me in 53 00:02:56,720 --> 00:02:59,880 Speaker 2: and then Garth Brooks, Randy Travis, Alan j. 54 00:03:01,800 --> 00:03:03,720 Speaker 3: Those guys really influenced as well. 55 00:03:03,880 --> 00:03:06,799 Speaker 2: But unlike a lot of country artists, I was also 56 00:03:07,000 --> 00:03:12,280 Speaker 2: very influenced by the likes of Luther Vandross, the Commodore's 57 00:03:12,800 --> 00:03:18,040 Speaker 2: Lionel Richie thirty eight Special, Leonard Skinnard. I had a 58 00:03:18,080 --> 00:03:20,440 Speaker 2: wide range of influences in my life. 59 00:03:20,520 --> 00:03:22,760 Speaker 3: James Taylor was one of my all time favorites. 60 00:03:23,160 --> 00:03:26,400 Speaker 2: Anyone who sang a song that told such a great story, 61 00:03:26,440 --> 00:03:28,040 Speaker 2: that's what I was really into. 62 00:03:29,160 --> 00:03:35,640 Speaker 4: And who embodied this spirit of incredible resilience that you've 63 00:03:35,800 --> 00:03:39,000 Speaker 4: had through through your life, through your work, and through 64 00:03:39,040 --> 00:03:43,320 Speaker 4: your life of serving the country. Who were the folks 65 00:03:43,320 --> 00:03:47,040 Speaker 4: in your life that inspired that resilience. 66 00:03:48,080 --> 00:03:50,040 Speaker 2: All kinds of folks, I mean, I could from my 67 00:03:50,160 --> 00:03:55,920 Speaker 2: parents up to military personnel in particulars a gentleman who 68 00:03:55,920 --> 00:03:59,480 Speaker 2: I served with by the name of Bill Geer, Colonel Greer. 69 00:03:59,560 --> 00:04:01,680 Speaker 3: He was an extremely influential individual. 70 00:04:01,760 --> 00:04:04,840 Speaker 2: In fact, he's one of the main influences on my 71 00:04:06,040 --> 00:04:06,520 Speaker 2: being in. 72 00:04:06,480 --> 00:04:07,480 Speaker 3: The music business. 73 00:04:07,480 --> 00:04:09,200 Speaker 2: He's a guy that when I went to re enlist, 74 00:04:09,800 --> 00:04:13,280 Speaker 2: I asked him because I was contemplating the music business 75 00:04:13,360 --> 00:04:15,920 Speaker 2: at the time, and I said, you know, should I 76 00:04:15,960 --> 00:04:18,120 Speaker 2: stay in or should I get out and try this 77 00:04:18,240 --> 00:04:21,960 Speaker 2: music thing? Warn his honest opinion, and he said, I'll 78 00:04:22,000 --> 00:04:23,480 Speaker 2: be honest with you. If you stay in the army, 79 00:04:23,480 --> 00:04:25,560 Speaker 2: I think you'll be the stortain major of the Army someday, 80 00:04:25,920 --> 00:04:27,560 Speaker 2: he said, But I also think you've got a really 81 00:04:27,600 --> 00:04:29,480 Speaker 2: good skill set with this other thing, and you should 82 00:04:29,520 --> 00:04:31,239 Speaker 2: at least try it. He says, stay in the reserves. 83 00:04:31,279 --> 00:04:33,200 Speaker 2: If it don't work, you can come back in. You 84 00:04:33,200 --> 00:04:35,279 Speaker 2: don't lose your rank or time and service. So I 85 00:04:35,320 --> 00:04:37,719 Speaker 2: did that, and by the time I was at a 86 00:04:37,760 --> 00:04:40,000 Speaker 2: point to where I thought I might stay in or 87 00:04:40,120 --> 00:04:42,040 Speaker 2: get back out or whatever. You know, I was doing 88 00:04:42,080 --> 00:04:44,239 Speaker 2: so well with the music that it made sense. 89 00:04:45,200 --> 00:04:52,120 Speaker 4: How do you make your faith impact so brilliantly and 90 00:04:52,360 --> 00:04:55,000 Speaker 4: seamlessly the music that you write. 91 00:04:56,680 --> 00:04:59,400 Speaker 2: That's not me. That's just when I say that's not me, 92 00:05:00,320 --> 00:05:01,120 Speaker 2: that's a god thing. 93 00:05:01,279 --> 00:05:04,359 Speaker 3: But here's what I will say. I have said that 94 00:05:04,600 --> 00:05:07,120 Speaker 3: music does not dictate who I am. 95 00:05:07,720 --> 00:05:11,000 Speaker 2: It's what I do, and I'm honored and grateful to 96 00:05:11,080 --> 00:05:15,159 Speaker 2: God and everybody out there for it. But that my 97 00:05:15,360 --> 00:05:18,560 Speaker 2: faith is what dictates who I am. That's what I 98 00:05:18,600 --> 00:05:20,520 Speaker 2: would you know, I hope people remember and I think 99 00:05:20,560 --> 00:05:22,480 Speaker 2: people remember a lot of the songs that I've been 100 00:05:22,480 --> 00:05:25,440 Speaker 2: blessed with over my career. But I would hope that 101 00:05:25,520 --> 00:05:27,839 Speaker 2: when they think of that, when they hear those songs, 102 00:05:27,839 --> 00:05:30,440 Speaker 2: they remember me as being a guy who genuinely cared 103 00:05:30,480 --> 00:05:36,640 Speaker 2: about people, genuinely cared about truth and that all that. 104 00:05:36,640 --> 00:05:38,360 Speaker 3: That's that's my faith. 105 00:05:38,160 --> 00:05:41,800 Speaker 2: And that you know, my our goal is Christians is 106 00:05:41,839 --> 00:05:44,640 Speaker 2: to attempt to be christ Like. That's what a Christian is. 107 00:05:45,120 --> 00:05:47,159 Speaker 2: It's someone who is christ Like. So that's what I 108 00:05:47,200 --> 00:05:51,320 Speaker 2: want to be. So my faith is everything. It's it's 109 00:05:51,880 --> 00:05:54,320 Speaker 2: you know, I always say God, Family, country, and it's 110 00:05:54,320 --> 00:05:55,000 Speaker 2: in that order. 111 00:05:55,720 --> 00:05:57,480 Speaker 3: God is always first. 112 00:05:58,040 --> 00:06:01,920 Speaker 4: Well, you were kind enough to be on our music 113 00:06:02,000 --> 00:06:05,440 Speaker 4: Save Me podcast, which deals in the you know, the 114 00:06:05,600 --> 00:06:08,440 Speaker 4: the healing power of music and what it can mean 115 00:06:08,480 --> 00:06:12,400 Speaker 4: to people, and so you you keenly know that and 116 00:06:13,160 --> 00:06:17,760 Speaker 4: you certainly intersect that in your in your work. When 117 00:06:17,760 --> 00:06:21,799 Speaker 4: you wrote The Father, My Son and the Holy Ghost. 118 00:06:22,800 --> 00:06:25,960 Speaker 4: You know, that's the feeling of faith, but that is 119 00:06:26,000 --> 00:06:29,680 Speaker 4: also you know, a healing power of music moment in 120 00:06:30,080 --> 00:06:31,279 Speaker 4: my view as well. 121 00:06:32,279 --> 00:06:35,960 Speaker 2: Oh that was that was an all, all knowing God 122 00:06:36,080 --> 00:06:38,560 Speaker 2: thing right there. I woke up about four point thirty 123 00:06:38,560 --> 00:06:40,560 Speaker 2: one morning and wrote that song from front. 124 00:06:40,320 --> 00:06:42,520 Speaker 3: To back the way everybody hears it today. 125 00:06:43,480 --> 00:06:46,480 Speaker 2: Uh. And what I've learned in my life, and I 126 00:06:46,520 --> 00:06:47,600 Speaker 2: think I talked about this. 127 00:06:48,200 --> 00:06:50,119 Speaker 3: I do talk about this a lot, and I speak 128 00:06:50,160 --> 00:06:51,760 Speaker 3: on it when I do speak. 129 00:06:51,480 --> 00:06:56,400 Speaker 2: To soldiers, especially, is understanding and appreciating that we suffer 130 00:06:56,480 --> 00:07:01,280 Speaker 2: in life in order that things may be better. And 131 00:07:01,360 --> 00:07:07,479 Speaker 2: sometimes that suffering is not necessarily just for us. You know, 132 00:07:07,560 --> 00:07:11,480 Speaker 2: you think about Christ. His suffering was not for himself. 133 00:07:11,520 --> 00:07:13,120 Speaker 2: He didn't have to do that, but he did. He 134 00:07:13,240 --> 00:07:16,040 Speaker 2: suffered for others. You think about service members, men and 135 00:07:16,040 --> 00:07:20,160 Speaker 2: women in the military, and they're not necessarily suffering just 136 00:07:20,200 --> 00:07:23,280 Speaker 2: for themselves. Now they are. I'm not comparing, Don't get 137 00:07:23,320 --> 00:07:26,280 Speaker 2: me wrong. I'm not comparing soldiers to Christ. But they're 138 00:07:26,320 --> 00:07:29,000 Speaker 2: willing to put themselves in harm's way for others and 139 00:07:29,040 --> 00:07:31,520 Speaker 2: for the well being of others. When I wrote the Father, 140 00:07:31,640 --> 00:07:33,360 Speaker 2: my Son, and the Holy Ghost. I ever intended for 141 00:07:33,400 --> 00:07:34,559 Speaker 2: anyone to hear that song. 142 00:07:34,600 --> 00:07:35,400 Speaker 3: It just happened. 143 00:07:36,400 --> 00:07:39,920 Speaker 2: And some psychologists, psychiatrists would probably say that was. 144 00:07:40,560 --> 00:07:42,760 Speaker 3: You know, one of those healing moments from me. 145 00:07:42,840 --> 00:07:44,920 Speaker 2: But I don't know that it was because I'm under 146 00:07:44,960 --> 00:07:48,600 Speaker 2: the mentality that they will hot stove mentality. You know, 147 00:07:49,280 --> 00:07:51,360 Speaker 2: if you touch it and it burns, you don't touch 148 00:07:51,400 --> 00:07:56,520 Speaker 2: it again. But this song, it burns, but I continue 149 00:07:56,560 --> 00:07:58,360 Speaker 2: to sing it. But I sing it not for me, 150 00:07:59,120 --> 00:08:01,600 Speaker 2: but for other people people. And the stories that I 151 00:08:01,640 --> 00:08:03,480 Speaker 2: have heard, the people that have come up and told 152 00:08:03,520 --> 00:08:06,840 Speaker 2: me how this song saved them, lets me know that 153 00:08:06,880 --> 00:08:10,160 Speaker 2: my suffering wasn't just for me, It's for other people 154 00:08:10,200 --> 00:08:11,760 Speaker 2: as well. 155 00:08:12,000 --> 00:08:16,120 Speaker 4: Congrats on American soundtrack. Can you tell me and take 156 00:08:16,240 --> 00:08:19,720 Speaker 4: us behind the scenes to the beginnings of the creation 157 00:08:19,960 --> 00:08:23,960 Speaker 4: of it, the writing aspect of it, and how this 158 00:08:24,080 --> 00:08:27,680 Speaker 4: all came to this brilliant, you know, culmination of a 159 00:08:28,200 --> 00:08:28,880 Speaker 4: great release. 160 00:08:29,920 --> 00:08:30,560 Speaker 3: Well, first of. 161 00:08:30,520 --> 00:08:33,240 Speaker 2: All, let me say I appreciate the brilliant comment, because 162 00:08:33,280 --> 00:08:35,560 Speaker 2: none of us that work on this project are brilliant. 163 00:08:39,440 --> 00:08:41,840 Speaker 2: You know what I've been my platform has been for 164 00:08:41,880 --> 00:08:45,200 Speaker 2: some time and I know it now is God, Family Country, 165 00:08:45,559 --> 00:08:48,240 Speaker 2: my music is going to be in and around those 166 00:08:48,280 --> 00:08:51,640 Speaker 2: things regardless, and I personally believe that the majority of 167 00:08:51,679 --> 00:08:55,000 Speaker 2: our listener base is Middle America and those three things 168 00:08:55,040 --> 00:08:59,680 Speaker 2: are of most importance to them. The American Soundtrack project 169 00:09:00,080 --> 00:09:02,800 Speaker 2: always was like any other music project I've ever done. 170 00:09:02,880 --> 00:09:07,240 Speaker 2: I just try to write, record, produce, and deliver songs 171 00:09:07,280 --> 00:09:10,120 Speaker 2: that we think will be hits and that the people 172 00:09:10,200 --> 00:09:11,280 Speaker 2: won't want to listen to. 173 00:09:12,080 --> 00:09:15,199 Speaker 3: And we did that. And in the process of doing that, when. 174 00:09:15,000 --> 00:09:17,520 Speaker 2: We recorded American Soundtrack, after we wrote that, I'm like, 175 00:09:18,040 --> 00:09:22,480 Speaker 2: this whole project is an American soundtrack. 176 00:09:23,520 --> 00:09:24,720 Speaker 3: Blue collar prayer. 177 00:09:24,960 --> 00:09:27,280 Speaker 2: That's I mean, that's just middle class America as it 178 00:09:27,320 --> 00:09:29,119 Speaker 2: gets God's problems. 179 00:09:29,240 --> 00:09:30,719 Speaker 3: Only song on the project. 180 00:09:30,360 --> 00:09:33,640 Speaker 2: I didn't write, and I had the most trouble singing 181 00:09:33,679 --> 00:09:35,440 Speaker 2: it because I do not want to be one of 182 00:09:35,440 --> 00:09:36,280 Speaker 2: God's problems. 183 00:09:37,160 --> 00:09:42,040 Speaker 3: Country education, Middle America. When we wrote that song. 184 00:09:42,120 --> 00:09:45,000 Speaker 2: That song was all about the education that you get 185 00:09:45,040 --> 00:09:49,520 Speaker 2: not from a scholastic academy or school, but in life. 186 00:09:49,920 --> 00:09:53,800 Speaker 2: You know, and I know, I'm all over this country, 187 00:09:53,840 --> 00:09:56,280 Speaker 2: I'm all over the world. But those people who have 188 00:09:56,440 --> 00:10:00,880 Speaker 2: those basic life skill sets always do better than those 189 00:10:00,920 --> 00:10:03,679 Speaker 2: people who don't have those And Country Education is all 190 00:10:03,720 --> 00:10:06,960 Speaker 2: about that. And the American Soundtrack, which this whole thing 191 00:10:07,040 --> 00:10:10,400 Speaker 2: encompasses in the title cut, is all about songs that 192 00:10:10,440 --> 00:10:14,200 Speaker 2: have impacted our lives and how our lives literally can 193 00:10:14,280 --> 00:10:16,000 Speaker 2: just about be laid out to music. 194 00:10:16,040 --> 00:10:17,280 Speaker 3: And two songs. 195 00:10:17,960 --> 00:10:22,520 Speaker 4: You are with the folks at BBR BMG Nashville, which 196 00:10:22,679 --> 00:10:26,200 Speaker 4: is a great label that is very much of a 197 00:10:26,320 --> 00:10:31,040 Speaker 4: you know, artist first label. Can you characterize as an 198 00:10:31,120 --> 00:10:34,440 Speaker 4: artist how important it is to, you know, be in 199 00:10:34,440 --> 00:10:39,760 Speaker 4: that environment when you're creating such a project like American Soundtrack, Oh. 200 00:10:39,760 --> 00:10:40,199 Speaker 3: Well, I can. 201 00:10:40,480 --> 00:10:42,560 Speaker 2: It's like it's kind of like being in a marriage 202 00:10:42,600 --> 00:10:45,000 Speaker 2: and if you come home every day and your wife 203 00:10:45,080 --> 00:10:51,040 Speaker 2: is scriping about everything you're doing and not supportive or 204 00:10:51,160 --> 00:10:54,400 Speaker 2: vice versa. If you're coming home and you're not content, 205 00:10:55,000 --> 00:10:57,360 Speaker 2: it's very uncomfortable and it makes for a. 206 00:10:58,280 --> 00:11:00,360 Speaker 3: I was almost a combativevironment. 207 00:11:01,160 --> 00:11:05,679 Speaker 2: I'm very fortunate BBR BMG those folks allow us as artists. 208 00:11:05,679 --> 00:11:08,320 Speaker 2: And I can say that because I'm friends with the 209 00:11:08,400 --> 00:11:12,440 Speaker 2: other artist, Lanny Wilson, Jelly Row, Blake Shelton. 210 00:11:12,679 --> 00:11:16,240 Speaker 3: We're all friends. Blake one of my closest friends. 211 00:11:16,559 --> 00:11:19,160 Speaker 2: And when you're in an environment where they're supportive and 212 00:11:19,200 --> 00:11:21,600 Speaker 2: they love you and allow you to use. 213 00:11:21,400 --> 00:11:24,640 Speaker 3: Your creative sense to develop a project. 214 00:11:26,240 --> 00:11:29,040 Speaker 2: It makes for a It makes for a much more comfortable, 215 00:11:29,800 --> 00:11:31,560 Speaker 2: much more creative environment. 216 00:11:31,600 --> 00:11:34,640 Speaker 3: It allows you to be that way if they're not restrictive. 217 00:11:34,920 --> 00:11:37,760 Speaker 2: They allow us to do our thing and then give 218 00:11:37,800 --> 00:11:40,520 Speaker 2: them what we do what we do, and then they'll 219 00:11:40,559 --> 00:11:44,400 Speaker 2: have some input after the fact maybe, But but yeah, 220 00:11:44,440 --> 00:11:47,640 Speaker 2: it's it's again a whole lot like a marriage. 221 00:11:47,880 --> 00:11:51,680 Speaker 4: Well, you mentioned, you know, making hits, and obviously that 222 00:11:52,000 --> 00:11:56,800 Speaker 4: comes down to airplay as well. But as an artist, 223 00:11:57,160 --> 00:12:01,160 Speaker 4: when you're really working that creative process and pouring out 224 00:12:01,200 --> 00:12:06,800 Speaker 4: your heart for a project such as American Soundtrack, isn't 225 00:12:06,880 --> 00:12:11,320 Speaker 4: that the almost last thing you're thinking about? The airplay 226 00:12:11,400 --> 00:12:14,600 Speaker 4: the hit aspect you're You're it's certainly in your mind, 227 00:12:15,240 --> 00:12:17,600 Speaker 4: but you're really trying to be true to yourself as 228 00:12:17,600 --> 00:12:21,160 Speaker 4: an artist first and foremost, and what you stand for 229 00:12:21,720 --> 00:12:22,280 Speaker 4: is that right? 230 00:12:23,040 --> 00:12:24,120 Speaker 3: Uh? You know? 231 00:12:24,240 --> 00:12:27,120 Speaker 2: For most people in our business, yes, I do believe that, 232 00:12:27,160 --> 00:12:29,800 Speaker 2: you know, and I think it's imperative that for me. 233 00:12:30,080 --> 00:12:34,120 Speaker 2: It's the music industry and I think you must absolutely 234 00:12:34,240 --> 00:12:35,119 Speaker 2: must find. 235 00:12:34,880 --> 00:12:37,600 Speaker 3: A balance in order to maintain relevance. 236 00:12:39,160 --> 00:12:41,640 Speaker 2: There's not a successful artist who did just what they 237 00:12:41,679 --> 00:12:45,480 Speaker 2: wanted to do. They're just not They do great in 238 00:12:45,520 --> 00:12:49,600 Speaker 2: coffee shops, they have fun in the in those little 239 00:12:49,600 --> 00:12:52,280 Speaker 2: places like that. And I'm not knocking it by any means, 240 00:12:52,600 --> 00:12:54,760 Speaker 2: but if you want to be successful, you must be 241 00:12:54,880 --> 00:12:56,080 Speaker 2: appealing to the masses. 242 00:12:56,600 --> 00:13:00,480 Speaker 3: So that's the biggest for me, that was always the 243 00:13:00,480 --> 00:13:02,400 Speaker 3: biggest struggle, finding the balance. 244 00:13:03,160 --> 00:13:03,280 Speaker 1: Uh. 245 00:13:03,520 --> 00:13:05,880 Speaker 2: And I've just that's why I take a whole lot 246 00:13:05,960 --> 00:13:08,880 Speaker 2: more time in pre production. I might spend a year 247 00:13:09,280 --> 00:13:11,760 Speaker 2: writing and listening to songs in order to find those 248 00:13:11,760 --> 00:13:15,400 Speaker 2: songs that are great for me to be able to sing, 249 00:13:16,440 --> 00:13:20,560 Speaker 2: be believable to deliver, and at the same time be 250 00:13:20,640 --> 00:13:26,160 Speaker 2: appealing to our demographic and sometimes even reaching beyond our demographic. 251 00:13:27,040 --> 00:13:31,520 Speaker 2: You cannot just do what you think is best. I'm sorry, 252 00:13:31,720 --> 00:13:34,080 Speaker 2: and I would apply that to everything in your life. 253 00:13:34,960 --> 00:13:35,920 Speaker 3: You know, your faith. 254 00:13:37,880 --> 00:13:40,760 Speaker 2: How arrogant of someone to think that they can completely 255 00:13:40,760 --> 00:13:42,360 Speaker 2: comprehend every line. 256 00:13:42,320 --> 00:13:44,160 Speaker 3: In the Bible in their own way and that is 257 00:13:44,240 --> 00:13:46,800 Speaker 3: their truth. You know, that's the problem with our society 258 00:13:46,840 --> 00:13:47,240 Speaker 3: these days. 259 00:13:47,240 --> 00:13:50,400 Speaker 2: We've gotten away from the truth and gone to their 260 00:13:50,440 --> 00:13:51,960 Speaker 2: truth or my truth. 261 00:13:52,640 --> 00:13:53,840 Speaker 3: And that's a problem. 262 00:13:53,920 --> 00:13:57,080 Speaker 2: And you can apply that same analogy to what you're 263 00:13:57,080 --> 00:13:59,880 Speaker 2: doing in your occupation and for me the music, I 264 00:14:00,240 --> 00:14:03,720 Speaker 2: absolutely have stayed true to my message who I am 265 00:14:03,760 --> 00:14:04,520 Speaker 2: and what I believe. 266 00:14:04,559 --> 00:14:05,600 Speaker 3: But at the same time. 267 00:14:05,440 --> 00:14:07,680 Speaker 2: I feel like we've delivered music that is appealing to 268 00:14:07,760 --> 00:14:09,600 Speaker 2: our fan base, and that's what I want to do. 269 00:14:09,800 --> 00:14:12,160 Speaker 3: And someday I may not and if I'm no longer relevant, 270 00:14:12,200 --> 00:14:12,720 Speaker 3: I'll move on. 271 00:14:13,520 --> 00:14:15,840 Speaker 4: I want to pick a song like Roots off of 272 00:14:15,880 --> 00:14:20,960 Speaker 4: American Soundtrack as an example. So from the beginnings of 273 00:14:21,000 --> 00:14:25,600 Speaker 4: the creation of Roots and then to the ultimate final product, 274 00:14:26,200 --> 00:14:30,840 Speaker 4: how much does that shift and change and get tweaked 275 00:14:31,960 --> 00:14:34,480 Speaker 4: as you as an artist or sort of working through 276 00:14:34,520 --> 00:14:36,480 Speaker 4: that until it's final delivery. 277 00:14:37,400 --> 00:14:40,120 Speaker 2: I think, just like anybody and anything else in life 278 00:14:40,600 --> 00:14:46,360 Speaker 2: experience time. If you're referring to this simple song, the 279 00:14:46,400 --> 00:14:49,760 Speaker 2: song of Roots, we wrote that song pretty much the. 280 00:14:49,680 --> 00:14:50,400 Speaker 3: Way you hear it. 281 00:14:51,480 --> 00:14:54,240 Speaker 2: But it's easy to do that because we're applying what 282 00:14:54,280 --> 00:14:59,040 Speaker 2: we know, feel think here to our writing process. 283 00:15:00,040 --> 00:15:04,720 Speaker 3: Yeah, the roots, the roots have never changed in my life. 284 00:15:05,160 --> 00:15:09,960 Speaker 2: Where I come from, who I come from, the upbringing. 285 00:15:09,640 --> 00:15:09,720 Speaker 3: The. 286 00:15:11,240 --> 00:15:16,640 Speaker 2: Philosophies, the basic simple life philosophies that I learned as 287 00:15:16,640 --> 00:15:19,160 Speaker 2: a child are still very true to me today. 288 00:15:20,240 --> 00:15:23,360 Speaker 3: And that's what that song's all about, being being true 289 00:15:23,360 --> 00:15:24,040 Speaker 3: to your roots. 290 00:15:25,400 --> 00:15:30,440 Speaker 4: It comes through shining, shining clearly for sure. In closing, 291 00:15:31,640 --> 00:15:35,280 Speaker 4: the art of performance is so critical to you know, 292 00:15:35,680 --> 00:15:38,640 Speaker 4: releasing and then getting out in the road and connecting 293 00:15:38,760 --> 00:15:42,560 Speaker 4: with your fans and showcasing it in front of a crowd. 294 00:15:43,320 --> 00:15:47,040 Speaker 4: Can you, just for someone who's never done that, describe 295 00:15:47,360 --> 00:15:51,320 Speaker 4: the magic of being out there performing in front of 296 00:15:51,320 --> 00:15:56,360 Speaker 4: your fans, making them happy, moving them, engaging them. What's 297 00:15:56,480 --> 00:15:59,520 Speaker 4: it like from an artist's perspective to experience that. 298 00:16:01,320 --> 00:16:05,880 Speaker 2: It's very What is the word I'm looking for? It's 299 00:16:06,040 --> 00:16:10,320 Speaker 2: very empowering. I think people have to be real careful 300 00:16:11,320 --> 00:16:14,280 Speaker 2: when they're doing something like that. Whatever it may be, 301 00:16:15,120 --> 00:16:18,400 Speaker 2: you have to be real, real careful not to allow 302 00:16:18,520 --> 00:16:20,360 Speaker 2: it to. 303 00:16:19,960 --> 00:16:22,480 Speaker 3: Dictate who you are. 304 00:16:23,720 --> 00:16:28,240 Speaker 2: It's a moment, and again, it's very empowering, very it's 305 00:16:28,360 --> 00:16:30,200 Speaker 2: very energetic, and. 306 00:16:30,120 --> 00:16:34,800 Speaker 3: It can be extremely exciting. For me, I know what's 307 00:16:34,880 --> 00:16:37,080 Speaker 3: going on, and I'm grateful for it. I'll be honest 308 00:16:37,120 --> 00:16:38,240 Speaker 3: with you. Most of times, I'm so. 309 00:16:38,160 --> 00:16:40,440 Speaker 2: Focused on just trying to remember the words to my songs, 310 00:16:40,520 --> 00:16:46,440 Speaker 2: especially the ones I wrote. But it's also very exciting, 311 00:16:46,480 --> 00:16:50,280 Speaker 2: and for me it's humbling and I'm honored. I'm just 312 00:16:50,400 --> 00:16:53,680 Speaker 2: always so honored to see so many people. 313 00:16:53,760 --> 00:16:55,480 Speaker 3: I mean, this tour we're doing right now. 314 00:16:55,600 --> 00:16:59,000 Speaker 2: Every night it's over twenty thousand people there, and to 315 00:16:59,120 --> 00:17:02,760 Speaker 2: see the real and to hear that, it's very humbling, 316 00:17:03,080 --> 00:17:06,400 Speaker 2: and I'm just grateful. And my objective is to always 317 00:17:06,680 --> 00:17:12,120 Speaker 2: maintain that sense of gratefulness and not allowed to dictate 318 00:17:12,200 --> 00:17:15,240 Speaker 2: my thought process. 319 00:17:15,280 --> 00:17:18,960 Speaker 4: Greag Morgan, I'm grateful for you being Untaken a Walk 320 00:17:19,040 --> 00:17:21,239 Speaker 4: and for the music you continue to give us, and 321 00:17:21,320 --> 00:17:26,600 Speaker 4: congratulations on American Soundtrack. It is awesome, and thanks for 322 00:17:26,640 --> 00:17:27,800 Speaker 4: being Untaken a Walk. 323 00:17:28,320 --> 00:17:29,680 Speaker 3: Well, thank you, thanks for having. 324 00:17:29,520 --> 00:17:33,560 Speaker 1: Me, Thanks for listening to this episode of the Taking 325 00:17:33,640 --> 00:17:37,200 Speaker 1: a Walk podcast. Share this and other episodes with your 326 00:17:37,200 --> 00:17:40,359 Speaker 1: friends and follow us so you never miss an episode. 327 00:17:40,960 --> 00:17:45,160 Speaker 1: Taking a Walk is available on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, 328 00:17:45,359 --> 00:17:47,640 Speaker 1: and wherever you get your podcasts.